The Economy Stikes Again

The worst thing to happen! 

It started off like any other day, I dragged myself from my cozy bed, had a cuppa coffee, checked email and tried to wake up.  Nothing new.  Then my teenager decided that she HAD to go to the mall.  This is when the day took a turn.  Contrary to what may be believed, I am not very social in person.  The idea of going to the mall is sometimes overwhelming.  It’s the crowds, it’s the noise, it’s the pain in the patoot people that crawl right up your butt in line thinking that’s going to help get to the front of the line quicker.  Umm, hello?  Its’ not.  I can’t tell you how many times I have turned around and said to someone “Dude!  Can you take a step back?”  When my hair is being fluffed around my face due to their BREATHING on me, I tend to get grumpy.  It embarrasses my children to no end. 

So my daughter, the smart thing that she is, decides to bribe me with the purchase of a bag of Harry and David Gummy Bears.  Yup.  She had me with the word Harry.  I agreed to a journey out to the God forsaken mall.  Oh goody.  Can you hear the sarcasm?  We get to the mall and make a stop at Abercrombie, and then one at American Eagle and then the Apple Store, and finally two door down is Harry and David.  I get all giddy and excited.  One of the best things about the H&D store is that you walk in and the smell hits you.  It’s chocolate, it’s candy, it’s gummies.  Aaaaahhhh, I love that smell.  I skip over to the storefront and the world falls at my feet. 

My lovely, wonderful, favorite store in the world…..is closed….forever.  It’s an empty shell of dark space and dust.  I stand there in abject sadness.  My hands and face pressed longingly against the glass, looking inside where there is now nothing but a few forgotten scraps of cardboard.

I was pulled away from the glass by my daughter.  I dragged my feet and hung my head through H&M and Forever 21.  My daughter finally disgusted with me, said she was ready to go home.  “Geez, mom.  It’s only a store,” she admonishes. 

Yes.  But it was the only H&D store around.  There are no others anywhere near us.  At least I can still order on line.  I double-checked to be sure.  I knew H&D were having financial issues, so there was a small worry that they were gone entirely but thankfully that is not the case.  I am sad my little store of heaven on earth is gone, but so very thankful they are not gone entirely.  

Boo!

A Writer's Life as a Mother

I get asked now and then (all the time) how do I find the time to write?  See I'm a wife and mother of two, so this is one of those questions that people ask out of honest wonder.  The easy answer is that I don't find time, I make the time.  Like currently it's summer and that means two/three days a week I am spending about two and a half hours of my evening at the softball field for my nine year old.  I'm also scheduling in Driver's Ed for the sixteen year old.  I am also gearing up for the dance season that begins in a few weeks, and I am gearing up to another year of horse riding.  What that means is that when we finally get home at night, I am usually cramming food into everyone as fast as possible, then cleaning up, and doing my nightly "chores".  By the time I get the house settled down its pushing ten o'clock and the night is over....or is it? 

Let's face it, most evenings regardless of the "plans" end up about the same.  Whether there is dance class or softball or horseback riding or nothing at all.  The night finally settles down at about ten.  So, that is when I make time to write.  I have wired my brain to gear up at night.  I will sit down and do administration work or editing work or if I am feeling creative I will start something new.  I know that I have at the very least an hour at the most several hours, depending on the day of the week.  I am more apt to stay up later on a Monday that I am on Thursday. 

Why don't I use my mornings?  Well, because I'm tired.  I am so not a morning person.  I'm grumpy.  I don't want to talk, think, or even open my eyes, so there is not much in the way of creative going on at that time of day.  I finally catch my stride around eight in the morning but before that, forget it. 

My lunch hour I usually use as a time for writing, or connecting on line with other writers or checking out blogs or whatnot, but this summer I have changed that.  I have been taking my lunch hour for myself.  This has had the effect that I don't have as much time to be "social" on-line which I miss, but instead of staying inside at my computer, I am going to the park to read or to walk or to just find time for myself that I don't usually get.  So far I am enjoying the sun. It wont be here much longer so I better soak it up while I can as I don't see my park days continuing throughout the Ohio winter. 

So there you have it, if you ask me, you can't "find" time to write.  If it's that important, then MAKE the time. 

ctny

The end of an Era - Harry Potter

First, just as an FYI, the latest addition to my anthologies publications: Serve in Heaven, Reign in Hell has been released.  My contribution to this book is a short story titled, Consequences.  Snaps to the artist for the cover work as I have to say it is quite wonderful.

Book Blurb from Amazon:  From Christopher Marlowe's Dr Faustus to Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush, tales of angels and demons are endlessly fascinating to us mere mortals. Promises of a utopian afterlife and temptations of riches beyond our wildest dreams, angels and demons can offer us our hearts' desire - but there's a price to pay whether we pick the damned or the divine. The stories in this collection explore both Heaven and Hell - and a few places between - bringing the reader avenging angels, devious devils, and tempted mortals. - Naomi Clark

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1617061301

Sadly my Harry Potter clock has now been disabled as the time has run out...sorry you missed it. 

As of this Friday (July 15, 2011), the long awaited final installment to the Harry Potter films will release.  Unless you have been living under a rock, you know this already.  I spent the weekend preparing for this event by watching the series from the beginning.  Yes, all the way back to the Sorcerer’s Stone.  I only made it through “The Order of the Phoenix” but I plan on watching the last two this week before going to the theater. 

I think back to where I was when this series came out (2001) and I realize, holy heck that was a long time ago.  We took my daughter to see this movie for her end of the school year treat for kindergarten.  She’s now a Junior in high school!  We made our way through all the books, not once but twice, (once for each child) and I have to admit, they are still one of my favorite series books ever.  Yes, there are some inconsistencies.  Yes some of the writing isn’t perfect.  My thoughts?  So what? This series has captivated the world.  Me included.  Seriously, what is there not to love?  I may have to re-read the series again just because. 

In case you were dying to know, my favorites in the series:  Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, Half Blood Prince, and then the Deathly Hallows. 

Where will I be this weekend?  Do you even need to ask?

Yay!  I can’t wait and yet I'm a little sad to see it all end.  How funny is that?

ctny

Independence Day

In 1775, the people in New England (America) began fighting the British for independence. On July 2, 1776, Congress secretly voted for independence from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence was published two days later on July 4, 1776. The actual first reading in public of the Declaration of Independence was held on July 8, 1776. The Delegates finally began to sign the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776.

For so many people, Independence Day is an extra day you get off from work, go see a parade, have a family picnic/cookout, and get to see fireworks.  I take part in all of these things every year. 

But…I also remember what the actual point of the holiday is.  I remember all the lives lost for my freedom.  I remember all the sacrifices people have made so that I can enjoy the freedoms and rights that I have today.  Do I make a point of remembering and giving thanks only because I come from a military family?  Sometimes, I think that is exactly why. 

Every day people from other nations come to our country so that they might enjoy the same freedoms that we have fought for.  What our soldiers died for.  I have found that so many people I talk to about the 4^th of July see only food and the lazy day.  Ask some of the children around you and see what they say the holiday is for.  You will be surprised, no, you will be shocked to learn that most of the children and a lot of the adults forget what Independence day means.  How sad is that?

So to all American's I give a heartfelt and sincere:

So what does the 4th of July mean to you?

ctny